HIDE AND SEEK

Romans 10:20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, "I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me."

When I first became a Christian, I loved the feeling of being among fellow believers. Church was a warm, safe place to go and have my spirit renewed. All my friend spoke the same language, asked the same questions, sought the same reassurance. I opened my heart and welcomed Jesus to bless me. He has provided for me in my times of need, carried me through my times of trouble, and restored my faith, time and time again.

Lately, I've started to worry that I'm not carrying His word to others to bring them into His fold. I'm not a preacher. I'm a faltering Christian. But, I know that I am doing His good deeds when I reach out to others and share what I can--a smile, a helping hand, forgiveness, love.

Just as the scripture above says, I am showing God's love to those who may not be seeking Him, and in doing so spreading good seeds for His harvest.

Thank you for visiting and remember to thank Him for all the blessings He bestows.

Creative Energy and Spare Time

Years ago, I spent my spare time working on crafts. I've knitted clothes for my children and grandchildren, crocheted afghans, painted ceramics, woodburned pictures, created candle and flower arrangements, and painted rocks into animals. Since I started writing, my crafting time disappeared and I poured all my creative energy into my books.

It seems I do have more spare time now that I've retired from the day job, and with hubby being "tied" to the house, I don't like to spend too much time down in my office away from him. So when I sit upstairs to watch television with him, I needed something to make me feel productive. I heard about prayer shawl ministries and started reading up on what it involved. Now, I have a stash of yarn and a drawer of prayer shawls. As I work on the shawl, I pray for the person who will receive it. As I hear of women in my church who are facing surgery, I pick out the shawl I believe they will like and pray for them while holding the shawl. I visit the person in the hospital and present them with the gift.

Now what would be an unproductive time has turned into a labor of love.

Enjoying the Fruits of Labor

I never dreamed my husband's health would deteriorate to the point that I would become caregiver during the time we planned to enjoy doing things together, traveling, and being free. My once active, healthy love is now bound by oxygen tubes and other health issues which leave him trapped in our home. At times I feel like I'm caring for a baby again, and sometimes I feel cheated. That's when I'm wallowing in self-pity because I'm longing for "our dream," which will never be. At these low times, I pick up the Bible to receive the strength and regain perspective.

The real truth is...we ARE spending time together. We may not be traveling to new places, but where better to be than in the home we made together? Hard labor remodeled each room. My husband spent his life working long and hard hours, and in his off-time, he worked just as hard to make this house a home. Now, we have the luxury of being united to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

I'm grateful each and every day for his presence, for his sense of humor, for his unconditional love, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as ransom for many."

How can I not do likewise?

Thanks for stopping by!